Excitement

"What do you think?" Ambrose asked after Madhound and his men were led away by the Royal Blues.

Madeline pursed her lips. "Based on Madhound's accounts and comparing it with Natasha's report… it's most likely that this… Hunter of Evernight is related to the evil god she spoke about."

"I think so too." Ambrose sighed. "At least that means it's not an entirely different case."

Madeline nodded. "But it's weird sir."

"What is?"

"Evil gods have been known throughout history to move with a trail of blood behind them, yet this one…"

"Isn't showing the same characteristics?"

"Exactly."

"That's what makes the Hunter all the more dangerous. They aren't acting as their kind would which makes them unpredictable and more of a headache. I'd much rather prefer an evil god that goes on a killing spree once it's born. At least we know what we are dealing with." Ambrose lamented.

Madeline nodded, even though she felt uneasy with the identity of an evil god with unknown motives.

For a moment, her mind was drawn to the Evil Eye brotherhood.

Had they begun to act?... She couldn't be sure.

Just then, two Enforcers approached the duo, one from the direction of the western district and the other from the abandoned warehouse.

Ambrose addressed the one from the western district first. "What did you find?"

"Madhound and his boys kidnapped the ring leaders that organized the recent protest that happened at Chelsea Square. They planned to kill them."

"Skip the unimportant stuff."

"The captured people were rescued by the one that caused the incident and currently, rumors are going around about a certain masked vigilante that watches over the people of the western district."

"So they see an evil god as a hero?" Ambrose rolled his eyes. "Can't expect better from a bunch of peasants."

Madeline commented. "It is understandable since it did save their lives."

"Do you know if it's just a plan for it to start a religion of its own?" Ambrose questioned in annoyance. "Most evil gods feed on faith after being born. The more faith they receive, the stronger they are.

"I deduce that this Hunter of Evernight is a servant of the evil god born in Evergarden forest and he is trying to create a religion to help his master gain strength before unleashing its terror on the city."

Madeline was left speechless by Ambrose's logic.

It was… not too farfetched and thinking about it from a certain viewpoint, it made a whole lot of sense.

"Hah, Madeline I understand you feel for these peasants but try to think sometimes. The presence of an evil god could lead to terrible consequences for BoneHaven."

Madeline gritted her teeth before nodding silently.

Sighing heavily, Ambrose turned to the other Enforcer. "Did you find anything?"

"Just this." The man promptly reported as he handed over a piece of paper.

Glancing at the printed words on the squeezed paper, Ambrose's expression turned sour as he cursed.

"That fucking idiot!"

***

Alex squinted his eyes, wondering if he had heard wrong.

"Come again?"

Anastasia felt uncomfortable as she looked away before repeating herself in a lower voice. "... I said take me with you."

"... You are kidding right?"

"I… I am not!" Anastasia pouted, revealing a cute side that Alex didn't know she had.

Blinking a few times, he quickly canceled his Materialization before raising his hand to scratch his head.

He didn't immediately respond as he turned his back to Anastasia, seemingly in deep thought.

What he had planned today was quite simple after realizing he would be meeting Anastasia.

If she was hostile, try to suppress her with Nyx's authority before making a run for it.

If she wasn't, try to pull her to his side as a subordinate.

It would be difficult but if he played his cards right, he could get the most powerful subordinate so early in the game.

However, he would have never expected that Anastasia would quite literally offer herself on a silver platter to him.

He wasn't against it, but it still took him by surprise causing him to reevaluate his plans.

After more than a minute of uncomfortable silence passed with Anastasia immediately regretting saying what she said while slouching, Alex turned to face her again.

Instinctively, she stood straight with Alex staring at her with both confusion and interest.

Taking a moment to arrange his words, Alex remarked. "Let me get this straight… you want to become my subordinate?"

"... Yeah." Anastasia at some point was holding the hems of her skirt while revealing a most innocent expression.

"Ahem." Ensuring not to get caught up in her overwhelming cuteness, Alex continued. "... Without knowing my objectives or what I'm capable of?"

"... You aren't too bad of a guy, right?" Anastasia replied.

It was the first time Alex realized that her eyes were quite large as her slit irises expanded into two eye-catching saucers.

"... Even when you might be stronger than me?" Alex needed something at this point.

Just like how Arthur had caused him to reevaluate his understanding of people, for some convoluted reason, he didn't want it to be the case for Anastasia as well.

"Well, are you weaker than me?"

"That… that's not the point." Alex was forced to accept that indeed she was an anomaly like Arthur.

"So all this time you were grooming me to become my subordinate," Alex muttered.

Anastasia shrugged. "You would have reached the height of your power either way. I merely sped up the process."

"You… you are quite a peculiar fellow, Lady Ana." Alex couldn't help but comment with a slight chuckle.

Anastasia revealed a smile of her own. "I hear that quite a lot."

"Hmm." Alex walked over to her and upon coming within arm's length, inquired. "Before I answer your unexpected request… tell me, why have you decided to become my subordinate?"

Anastasia replied. "Isn't it easy to tell?"

"I have a few ideas but I want to hear them from your lips," Alex said softly while taking a peek at her cherry-red lips.

Anastasia placed a finger on her lower lip.

Taking a moment to ponder, she muttered. "Excitement."